Thanks again for all replies, I was quite surprised to have so many replies/private messages directly from companies, but some helpful pointers. It did at least spur me into action to view some benchmark properties to narrow down our initial thoughts. Saw one we love over the weekend, feels too good to be true, but fingers crossed!

Thanks to all! Will aim to find that elusive time to have a look through everything this week.

Hello - we dragged (because we adored SW11) ourselves out of London 3 years ago but in fact, it has been great. Lots of things I miss about London but only from time to time and it's easy to visit London from where we are in Hampshire (56 mins on the train)

What I have enjoyed is discovering all sorts of things that are really accessible (partly due to much less traffic so a journey that takes ten minutes will always take ten minutes) that from London would have been a big day trip out. We live in a small city but can be in forests and at the beach for half a day quite easily. We have restaurants (Wagamamas is about to open!) and a theatre and small museums - so almost a mini London.
Schools are excellent. My children's school (state) came joint 1st nationwide in the last published league table based on sats results. Many other local schools were in the top 200 too.

ScoutBee http://www.scoutbee.co.uk/ are really experienced at finding Hampshire properties

We really enjoy having some extra space, it's different from sw11 but a positive experience

Hi workerbee....I'm totally sympathetic to your stress. It's a daunting prospect with so much to consider. I haven't moved but I set up life after London to help people in your situation!

I rate buying agents very highly when you are moving to an area where you don't live. They can help with so much, including the most basic of hearing about property before you do which is pretty critical. Also they can save you endless useless visits to properties which aren't right in the first place and are very good at helping you think outside the box in terms of properties you might previous discount.

We have lots who advertise on our website (i'm pretty strict about who is on there to make sure only reputable companies). It's all about the relationships because it's really important you trust them to understand your family needs.

I've got a couple of documents on my site about using buying agents which might be worth you reading. I've linked at the bottom for you.

Also for your area I'd suggest talking to those mentioned below but also definitely check out these guys too.

Stacks, Watership, Scout Bee (Winchester Based) Inclover, Pastures New (New Forest Based). You'll find the good buying agents are more than happy to talk it over with you for no fee because so much depends on you trusting them and getting on (and also they often can't take on more than one search of same criteria so they will want to understand your needs too)


http://www.lifeafterlondon.com/buying-agents-what-do-they-do/
http://www.lifeafterlondon.com/buying-agents-be-aware/
http://www.lifeafterlondon.com/buyingagents/
http://www.lifeafterlondon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Buying-Agents-by-Life-After-London.pdf

Don't hesitate to drop me a note bee@lifeafterlondon.com if you want to talk it over.

By the way we've still got one space left at a free half hour session we're organising in Putney - advice on your move. Might be a useful starting place for you. To book in visit www.lifeafterlondon.com/book (we organise them fairly regularly so if you register on the website you'll hear about them)

Hi Workerbee

I run a Buying Agency covering Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and The Cotswolds and would love to help you if we can. The previous advice to focus on finding a good school is spot on and if a commute is important that too. When looking for a school, don't just trust the Ofsted reports and make sure you visit the school at pick up or drop off time, this can be eye opening. Happy to chat and give you some more pointers even if you don't want to use our services!
www.watershipproperty.com

Hi,

We moved out of Clapham 4 years ago after 12 years of living there and I can honestly say we've never been happier. We were very nervous about doing it but we've never looked back and have settled much quicker than I thought possible. Our children have both got into our first choice state school without any issues which made it all worthwhile to be honest as I was so worried about the battle for a decent state school in London. We live on the South Coast near Brighton so the commute isn't always easy but it's totally worth it to be near the sea and the countryside. Good luck!

Life After London is a great place to look for help: http://www.lifeafterlondon.com

In from work and children (fingers crossed asleep!). Thank you for the recommendations, I'll take a look this evening. It gives me a good starting point, quite like the sound of a one stop service (mainly because it's Friday and I'm exhausted) but I'm open minded. Thanks again!

You mentioned that school places were partly prompting the move, I'd focus on the school first as you can always rent until you get to know an area. Getting help with that though is a good idea as schools are a minefield in themselves.

Down to more luck than judgement that we happen to be in a good catchment, otherwise we'd be heading out too! Hope it all goes well.

Hi workerbee,

My old neighbour used the company you are talking about http://www.accomplished.life - she was super impressed. Finding the property was the easy bit, it was everything else she needed help with !

good luck

Hi Workerbee. We were in your exact position a year ago, and after lots of debate, decided to put the house on the market and make the move. We moved out of our beloved between the commons terrace in February and moved out to a village outside Guildford. Not sure what I was so worried about, its great!

We used Maranda and Jen at Property Potential Surrey, the company Muddle Moo suggested. I was far from convinced that using search agents would be worth the money, but I can honestly say I was v impressed, they really know the area and which bits are best for commuting, schools, community feel etc. They also get a look at lots of houses that aren't on the open market. I didn't appreciate how many of the houses out here are sold off market.

If you decide to do the legwork yourself, my advice would be to do your research on area very carefully. What may seem like an ok commute, can turn into a v long commute once you add on getting to and from the station, morning traffic, parking etc etc. Some villages and towns have also got much more of a 'younger' vibe than others.

Good luck!

Life after London has "Stacks" property finders on their website

I feel your pain with 3 kids under 5 - it's hard work!

my friend runs a brilliant property finding company called Property Potential Surrey. She's much cheaper than other local firms as she's a local mum in the area who is absolutely brilliant. Her name is Maranda. Do give her a call as she may save some of your stress.

http://www.propertypotentialsurrey.co.uk/

good luck! x

We're craving more space and know that it's highly unlikely to get a decent school place given the catchment for Honeywell, so cashing in our small SW London terrace at the current crazy prices, seems like a potential good move. Surrey/Hampshire I think would tick the work/commute box, but I just feel overwhelmed with the prospect of house hunting, the move itself and getting to know a whole new area. A nursery mum suggested enlisting professional help and mentioned a company called accomplished.life , they seem pretty comprehensive, has anyone used them or a similar company? Any advice would be welcome!! With 3 children under 5 ( I know it was madness) and working, my head is spinning at the prospect.....